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I’ve had this gun for many years, sitting in the back of the safe. One of those I’ll get around to figuring out what to do with it someday projects. It’s a WWI 97 trench, that someone removed the heat shield, installed a bead, varnished the stock and added a recoil pad, and reblued it, removing any military receiver markings it originally had. I’ve come to understand that quite a few 97’s ended up being butchered like this one, sometimes by police departments, and that’s where it came from, in a blind auction. I’ve had other monstrosities before, bumper shop chromed pre war S&W’s, reblued early 1911’s, etc., but this one probably bothered me the most, which is why I’ve hung onto it all these years. The gun is complete and functional, actually pretty nice and tight mechanically, and it’s an early one, E687XXX serial number.
So….. what would you do with it? Spend a couple grand plus to try and “restore” it? Sell it to someone else that wants to try? I realize there’s really no good answer, I just thought I’d seek solace from fellow collectors if nothing else. 
In my opinion, it would be wasted $$$$ to do anything with it. I would be inclined to sell it to someone that wants a project gun, or load it up with a magazine tube full of No. 4 Tactical Buck loads for handy use (if needed).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
In my opinion, it would be wasted $$$$ to do anything with it. I would be inclined to sell it to someone that wants a project gun, or load it up with a magazine tube full of No. 4 Tactical Buck loads for handy use (if needed).Bert
I think this is definitely the way to go.
Well I have plenty of shotguns for houseguns, so I think I’m going to at least pseudo “restore” it anyway. It’ll look good hanging on the wall at least. Since it’s in the first trench guns made, I’ll still enjoy handling and shooting it, knowing there’s a good chance it was “over there” with my Grandfather and Great Uncles.
Well… in a stroke of luck that I don’t usually have, I have acquired both an original 1897 trench stock, and an original rear sling mount, and they are both winging their way to me. In my old buttplate collection, I already found a hard rubber Winchester plate that appears to possibly be the correct one. If so I’ll have to find screws for it. The big hurdle will be finding an original heat shield, but failing that, at least I’ll be halfway there.
Can anyone give me any insight on the mounting screws used for the stock sling mount? I’d like to find the originals, but failing that, repros, or the same size screws.
UpInTheBigTrees said
Well… in a stroke of luck that I don’t usually have, I have acquired both an original 1897 trench stock, and an original rear sling mount, and they are both winging their way to me. In my old buttplate collection, I already found a hard rubber Winchester plate that appears to possibly be the correct one. If so I’ll have to find screws for it. The big hurdle will be finding an original heat shield, but failing that, at least I’ll be halfway there.Can anyone give me any insight on the mounting screws used for the stock sling mount? I’d like to find the originals, but failing that, repros, or the same size screws.
Try this.
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-40a-heat-shield/
oldcrankyyankee said
UpInTheBigTrees said
Well… in a stroke of luck that I don’t usually have, I have acquired both an original 1897 trench stock, and an original rear sling mount, and they are both winging their way to me. In my old buttplate collection, I already found a hard rubber Winchester plate that appears to possibly be the correct one. If so I’ll have to find screws for it. The big hurdle will be finding an original heat shield, but failing that, at least I’ll be halfway there.
Can anyone give me any insight on the mounting screws used for the stock sling mount? I’d like to find the originals, but failing that, repros, or the same size screws.
Try this.
https://merkelauction.com/auction/228-merkels-wild-west/lot-40a-heat-shield/
That is a WW II Model 97 heat shield (not correct for a WW I Trench Gun).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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